8BitDo’s FlipPad is the best way to turn your phone into a Game Boy

All of them 8BitDo and GameSir announced small gamepads designed to turn smartphones into Game Boy-inspired consoles at CES 2026. GameSir released its Pocket Taco months ago, but wait a long time 8BitDo’s FlipPad it has become necessary. While the Pocket Taco may be suitable for gamers and other devices, the FlipPad is a compact, lightweight, affordable, and compact solution that’s easy to have for casual gaming on your phone without relying on emulator controls.

The FlipPad is one of 8BitDo’s smallest toys to date, but instead of using Bluetooth, it connects directly to your smartphone using its USB-C port. This method eliminates the need for an extra battery, making the FlipPad thin enough to be separated from your phone when it’s in your pocket.

The bottom of the FlipPad is covered with thin rubber to prevent scratches as it connects to your phone’s screen for added grip and stability. However, because the gamepad is only secured to your phone using the USB-C connector, it tends to move back and forth about a quarter of an inch while playing.

The gamepad’s USB-C connector can’t be changed or expanded, and while I had no problem connecting it to OnePlus and Google Pixel phones protected by thin silicone cases, it wasn’t going to my iPhone 16 Pro when it was inside one Thick Nomad brand cases.

I like not having to pay for the FlipPad or dig into the Bluetooth settings to reset it when you move the recorder between multiple phones, and its USB-C connector is built-in so when connected to your device the controls can be removed, giving you access to your smartphone. You don’t need to connect the FlipPad to unlock your device or jump between apps.

8BitDo has long been known for its quality hardware, and the FlipPad looks and feels every bit as premium as its more expensive controllers, with only a standard set of buttons. However, while 8BitDo confirmed that the FlipPad’s D-pad and ABXY buttons use a silicone membrane, they are firmer and feel much better than you would with the company’s other controllers.

The buttons still feel responsive but have less travel. It’s not really bad, on the contrary. The biggest distraction for gamers is the FlipPad’s two buttons that aren’t located on the edge. Instead you’ll find them lined up across the front of the gamepad as a single row of four circular buttons. It sounds like a way to help keep the gamepad slim, but not ideal. Using your index fingers to press the FlipPad’s shoulder buttons while your thumbs do the rest is awkward and unnatural.

You will also want to keep in mind the limitations of the controller. You can use it with games that you play directly and won’t be blocked as the controls cover almost half of your phone’s screen. I tested 8BitDo for FlipPad and Game Boy, GBA, Super Nintendo, and Sega Genesis games using the Delta and RetroArch emulators on my iPhone. Delta places games directly when using the controller and is slightly hidden by the FlipPad, but it is easily fixed by turning on the controllers and using a skin that places the game closer to the screen.

FlipPad pre-orders are now available through the 8BitDo online store and Amazon, and the gamepad is expected to be released on July 30. It will be available for $29.99 in black or a color inspired by the original Game Boy models.

It is a price that is slightly cheaper than that of $34.99 Pocket TacoThe FlipPad may seem like a better option, but there are a few things the Pocket Taco does well. While I love the smaller design of the FlipPad, I’m also a casual gamer who doesn’t chase a lot of score and chase Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles. Some may prefer the Pocket Taco’s larger D-pad and buttons, which have a softer and more responsive feel, or its shoulder buttons, which are placed on the back of your phone where your index fingers can easily reach them.

The Pocket Taco’s design makes it larger and heavier than the FlipPad, but its fastening system is more secure when attached to your phone, and it opens wide enough to fit devices inside a larger pocket. The Pocket Taco’s extended battery also means it won’t drain your phone’s battery while you play, and it can work as a wireless controller for a wide range of devices, including the Switch. As much as I love the FlipPad, for $5 more the Pocket Taco makes a strong case for itself.

Photography by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge